The True Value of a REALTORŪ Association Goes Beyond the Basics

Published Friday, April 12, 2019

by Romeo Arrieta

One of the questions we often receive from potential and current members is “What does my membership get me?” It’s a fair question, and one that should be asked. We all have limited resources to spend in business, and we want to make sure that they’re spent well. As a membership organization, we ultimately answer to the needs of our membership and the community at large.

You might think that this is a question that puts us on the spot, but, in fact, we relish the chance to answer it!

It gets you great classes and professional development programs around ‘what’s next.’ We’re constantly seeking out experts on the next wave of disruption and changes in the real estate industry. Upcoming classes like the NAR Green Designation course, Solar PV Technology and Valuation and others help you ‘future-proof’ your business by giving you knowledge about emerging technology and market trends.

It allows us to bring you unique and informative events like our upcoming General Membership Meeting on May 7th with CAR Assistant General Counsel Gov Hutchinson. This event is a chance for REALTORS® to hear about pressing legal issues in the California real estate industry from one of the state’s leading experts. By being informed about the latest changes to tax laws, marketing regulation changes, tenant law updates and other important subjects, you become an even more valuable resource to your clients and the communities in which you live and work. We’ll also have an update from BAREIS director, Barry Crotty. I encourage all MAR members to attend.

Your membership also gets you a seat at the table with policymakers. When real estate related issues are taken up at city hall, in Sacramento or on Capitol Hill, MAR is there to act as the voice and advocate for Marin County homeowners, private property rights and the real estate industry. This advocacy has directly resulted in preventing restrictive home sale provisions from being added to the San Rafael wildfire protection plan, further study of house size issues in Fairfax and more. REALTOR® advocacy by MAR members and staff helps local government craft regulations that help, rather than hinder, homeowners, community safety and housing affordability.

If you want to see this advocacy and energy in action, I strongly encourage you to attend California REALTORS® Legislative Day on May 1st in Sacramento. This members-only event is your chance to meet your state legislators and raise your concerns directly with them. This one-on-one advocacy is invaluable to your community. When legislators hear concerns from those on the frontlines of property and housing issues, real change happens. Please contact BettyRuth Madsen if you plan on attending.

Lastly, your MAR Membership also gets you something that truly sets you apart from other real estate professionals: Being held to a higher standard. Being a REALTOR® means that you abide by the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, a system of conduct that holds you to a higher level of professionalism and standards of practice towards your clients, community and your fellow REALTORS®. This standard is at the core of what makes a REALTOR® a REALTOR®, and means that you will go above and beyond the minimum required by law to be a good steward of the transaction and of your community.

We’re always working hard to make your REALTOR® association experience as positive and productive as possible. I speak for the MAR staff when I say that we would love to know how we are doing in meeting the ideals outlined above. If there’s something you think we could do better, or that you want to see us do more of, please email me at romeoa@marincountyrealtors.com.